Review: HGUC 1/144 ORX-000 Messala, Part 2

Welcome to the second part of the Messala review!

(Click here for the first part of the review)

Backpack
The backpack is a combination of both simplicity and a bit of complexity - the actual backpack "shell" part has a lot of moving parts, so that the thruster pods can be positioned correctly in both forms. The thruster pods themselves have a lot of empty space inside - you would almost suspect that they want people to do LED light-up mods...

However, even with all the joints in the backpack thruster connectors, the thruster pods still tend to hit the shoulders, given the design. These pods are also the reason why you have to balance the Messala carefully, if you're going to be showing it standing on the ground - the pods make the whole mecha top heavy - and at this point, they're mostly hollow!

Review: HGUC 1/144 ORX-000 Messala

Admittedly, I've been waiting for the Messala to be updated as an HGUC kit, though one reason for that, I will reveal later. As it is, it's one large and impressive-looking kit. The Messala is a historic mecha of sorts, being the first transformable mecha to appear in the Zeta Gundam anime series.

Vintage Kitbash: Astray Gold with Blitz parts

Now, this is a bit funny in origin. I had gotten a Gold Astray, and at the same time, I had a scrapped Blitz Gundam with a broken leg and missing head pieces. And since the Amatsu came out with Blitz Gundam parts, I decided to emulate it with this one, as well.

Vintage Kitbash: Astray Amatsu

Some further photos on my kitbashed Astrays. In this case, I minimized the weapons load out of the Amatsu type. In retrospect, though, I think I'll remove the long missiles.

Angel Versus Devil - Gundam AGE style

I got this idea from thinking about the ever famous St. Michael vs. Lucifer imagery.

Vintage Toys: Saving the Past

I've had quite a few toys that were sold off at garage sales (thanks, Mom...). But I've managed to save a few. here are some survivors. I'll be featuring them more in the coming weeks.

Vintage Kitbash: Gundam Astray Options

I've been going through my old stuff, looking for what I can sell, and I'm coming across ideas that, though old, I should really get into a "done" status.

Here's one: I'd always pictured that the Astrays from Gundam Seed would be a bit more modular - so I came up with this: A pair of Astrays - Normal and Amatsu - that have an option set of weapons and arms. To be honest, though, if I had more budget, I'd get myself two red astrays and then remove as much of the gold plated parts as possible.

Anyway, here it is. Enjoy! I'll probably do more shots of this set... After I take photos of other stuff I found... (wink-wink!)

Group Picture: Jegan/Jesta Team

To be honest, I didn't like the Jegan design when I first saw it, mainly because it was destroyed so utterly in F-91. However, the design has grown on me, and I've been doing some kitbashing with my Jegan kits, as well as weapons-swapping. The Jesta Cannon, however, is a stock kit.